Overview

Modern economics covers a wide range of topics from inflation to the control of monopoly power, from the study of developing countries to the finance of multinational companies. The BSc Economics degree programme reflects that breadth of interest in a flexible course designed to suit you if you wish to study a broad curriculum or to specialise in a particular area. The list of final year options is wide and choice may be widened still further by choosing one final year module from outside the Business School or by submitting a dissertation or business project in place of one of the options. Graduates enter a wide range of occupations, including economics, accountancy, business or academic careers.

No previous study of economics is required or assumed. If you possess an A level in Mathematics, you should be aware that there is a Single Honours programme in Economics with Econometrics. If you wish to study economics, but would prefer a lower mathematical content in the programme, you should consider BA Business Economics.

Thanks to the flexibility of my degree, I’ve been able to take modules outside of Economics, in areas such as Management and Accounting, as well – which means I’m also gaining a broader understanding of business alongside the more specialist skills I need for my chosen career.

In my opinion, the careers support that’s available at the Business School is one of the best things about coming here. Most recently, I have been able to secure an internship for the summer of my penultimate year at Rolls-Royce, thanks to the support I’ve received from the Career Zone.

Zoe Jenkins, BSc in Economics.

Programme structure

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

You may take option modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

Required subjects

Additional selection criteria

We are looking for well-qualified students with a genuine interest in and enthusiasm for the subject.

We receive a large number of applications from well-qualified applicants and may not be able to make offers to all those applicants who have achieved or are predicted to achieve grades in line with the typical offer shown above.

In addition to the specific requirements listed above, we look for excellent A level* results/predictions and we may also take into account results up to and including GCSEs* and AS Levels* as part of our holistic assessment of an application.

*Equivalent qualifications will be considered. For more information about our equivalencies for specific qualifications please contact our Admissions Office.

Learning and teaching

Lectures

Lectures of either one or two hours in length are held once a week for the duration of each module. The aim of lectures is to give you information on ideas that are central to the module and to help you in developing your understanding of complex ideas. Many of the teaching materials for lectures are made available to you electronically to accompany the notes you take during the lecture. Lectures are given by a range of staff members, including leading professors, who integrate their latest research findings into the teaching that you receive. Guest lecturers, including members of industry, also contribute to some modules.

Seminars and tutorials

Seminars and tutorials are held either every week or every other week throughout the duration of each module. They involve an in-depth exploration of the issues covered in lectures as well as giving you the opportunity to discuss various concepts and theories and receive feedback on your written assignments. Some modules do not have tutorials and others in the final year are taught solely by tutorials.

Study hours

Timetabled contact hours, made up of lectures, seminars and tutorials, vary over the duration of programmes and between programmes and are on average between 11 and 14 hours. In addition, you will be expected to complete an average of 20-25 hours of independent or group study per week.

Assessment

Modules are assessed through a mixture of group work, coursework, project work and examinations; the weighting of each of these components will vary according to the academic requirements of the module. Coursework assignments are typically between 2,500 and 6,000 words in length and examinations are normally held at the end of the module, in January and May/June.

You must pass your first year assessments in order to proceed to the second year. There is provision for students to be referred in examinations in August/September if they fail any exam in any year. Degree classification is awarded on the basis of performance in assessments at the end of the second and final years.

Careers

A degree in Economics from Exeter will help you to develop a wide range of essential skills such as analytical problem solving, teamwork, research and organising and communicating information.

The majority of graduates from the Business School follow their degree with a career in finance, banking, accounting or management both in the commercial and public sectors. A large number of graduate recruiters in these sectors visit Exeter to recruit our students. Some of our graduates pursue their interest in their studies to a greater depth by following a higher degree, often here at Exeter.

Developing your skills and career prospects

The University of Exeter Business School provides a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. Visit our undergraduate Building brilliant careers web pages for more information.

Further information

Further information is available through the Careers and your future pages of the University’s Undergraduate Study website.